The words "bad luck" triggered Gu Shen’s inspiration.
He fell into a brief contemplation.
He had to admit... the ordeal of the survey team within the maze was indeed a nightmare.
And this nightmare indeed originated from him.
After inheriting the power of the "Netherworld King’s Spark," an ominous aura seemed to cling to him. Yet, from the results, it was precisely because they were with him that they were spared from "death."
they would have been killed by the Big Snake, not a single one spared.
So... was this actually bad luck, or was it fortune?
In the personal channel beside Gu Shen’s ear, a hoarse voice rang out.
He lifted his head and looked back.
After the evacuation, at the very back of the team, Yuan Yuan stood alone with dual swords in hand.
On the final retreat path, Yuan Yuan had wielded the fourth-tier "Sword Domain" to cleave the rocks and the surging snow drifts... several times, when the team was nearly crushed by the snow drifts, it was his "Sword Domain" that stopped them!
The others did not know.
This "heart-stopping" escape was destined to succeed.
For the golden spike flowers, this was just a game, following Gu Shen’s will to create enough "urgency" to force the exploration team in front of them to quickly exit the maze.
Only... this game had to be realistic.
As things stood, the golden spike flowers had quite a talent for such manipulations.
Everyone was currently reveling in the relief of a narrow escape, without the leisure to deeply ponder the previous "Dream" or other details.
But there was an exception.
The man holding dual swords and looking back at the collapsing maze, slowly sheathed his swords and said something meaningful in the private channel.
Gu Shen’s expression did not change as he asked, "Why thank me?"
"There are some things that can’t be explained... and I’m not one to delve into the origins of things," said Yuan Yuan softly.
"Sword practitioners act in accordance with their hearts... adhering to sincere actions, sometimes, you receive guidance from the fates," he added meaningfully.
Interesting statement.
Gu Shen shook his head, "I don’t understand what you are saying."
"This time, everybody escaping unscathed may seem thrilling and extraordinarily lucky, but I know that this can’t simply be explained by ’luck’," Yuan Yuan lowered his gaze and chuckled self-mockingly, "It just so happens that everyone woke up, just so happens the maze collapsed, just so happens I could withstand the final snow drifts... it’s all too coincidental. After much thought, the most coincidental thing was your last-minute addition to the team."
Gu Shen had nothing to say.
For someone like Yuan Yuan who didn’t rely on logic or proof, but only on intuition, there really was nothing to say.
"Don’t misunderstand... I just wanted to thank you following my heart’s desire, not to probe into the reasons behind these ’coincidences,’" Yuan Yuan slowly exhaled.
Throughout this escape, he seemed the most composed.
But in reality... he also felt uncertain.
However, being the leader, he had to remain calm in critical times.
At this moment, he finally took a breather.
"Lord Aluel said, you are the man chosen by Her Majesty the Empress."
He eyed the silent Gu Shen and earnestly said, "At first, I didn’t believe it... now, I do."
(PS: I’m very sorry, I’m not in a great state. I’ve been writing for a long time, editing over and over, and this is all I can guarantee in terms of quality. I plan to rest a bit over the next three days, revise the outline, so the daily update will approximately be around four thousand words. Once I feel better, I’ll resume more frequent updates to lead up to the climax. I hope for your understanding.)